Former Simi Valley businessman sentenced for grand theft

Some in the audience broke out in applause Friday as the handcuffed former owner of a Simi Valley motorcycle shop was led off to jail after being sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from more than 40 victims.

Armon Castillo Gevorkian had his head lowered as he was escorted from the courtroom after getting an earful from those, including some friends, whose confidence and trust he gained to steal their money.

Gevorkian, of Santa Clarita, pleaded guilty in January to 49 felony counts, mostly grand theft but also insurance fraud and four counts of elder abuse.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell said he would accept a plea bargain deal Gevorkian reached with prosecutors. He sentenced Gevorkian to 15 years and four months in prison, noting his lack of criminal history.

Several victims told the judge how they had invested money from their savings and bank accounts in a business deal run by Gevorkian that involved buying, fixing and selling motorcycles and motorcycle engines.

Joe Ward said Gevorkian presented a good business deal.

“I thought it was too good to be true,” he said. “But I went along with $15,000. I took money from my grandchildren’s college fund.”

Bruce Gold said he has known Gevorkian for 25 years.

“He started out on the right foot. Where he went wrong, I have no idea,” said Gold, adding that Gevorkian has no remorse.

Gold said the unanswered question is what Gevorkian did with the money.

“Where did it go? That’s the question. It had to go someplace. We are all embarrassed because we all got duped by somebody we considered a friend,” Gold said.

Alan Beatty told the judge that he was trying to restrain himself.

“I am doing my best not to punch him in the face,” he said.

The judge ordered Gevorkian to pay restitution, but prosecutors say that more than likely the victims will never see a dime of it.

In an interview, prosecutor Margaret Coyle said victims lost amounts from $200 to $593,000. Gevorkian, who wasn’t in custody until Friday, will serve 50 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, Coyle said.

“I hope that he proves us all wrong, that he becomes a better man and not a worse one,” she told the judge. “Unfortunately, there is no pot of gold to give back to the victims.”

Gevorkian’s lawyer David Lehr said he wasn’t going to use “crafty words” like some of the victims because it would only make people more angry.

“That would not do anybody any good,” he said.

During a preliminary hearing in January, Coyle described how Gevorkian persuaded people to give him money to invest in the purchase of motorcycles and motorcycle engines. Gevorkian told the victims he could “quickly flip” the engines and sell them in Europe, Japan or China.